Image pickup device and image pickup method

ABSTRACT

An image pickup device includes: a camera unit; a display unit which displays an image captured by the camera unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the display unit. When a predetermined operation is performed on the touch panel, a brightness of the display unit is changed from a first brightness to a second brightness brighter than the first brightness. The display unit displays thereon an indication showing that the brightness has increased. The indication showing that the brightness has increased is continued even at least after changing to the second brightness.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image pickup device, in which atouch panel is disposed so as to overlap a display unit that displays animage captured by a camera unit, and an image pickup method.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, the production of mobile terminals in which thesubstantially entire surface is formed by a display unit and a touchpanel (liquid crystal display device or the like) and which are operatedthrough the touch panel, such as smartphones, have been increasing innumber. For this reason, the production of mobile terminals operatedwith hard keys have been decreasing in number.

In the mobile terminal, from the viewpoint of battery durability, thebrightness of the display unit and the battery durability are balancedby performing backlight control according to ambient light using theinformation of an illuminance sensor or the like. In addition, thebrightness up to the limit is not output in terms of the lifespan of thedisplay device, such as a liquid crystal display device.

As conventional apparatuses in which a touch panel is disposed so as tooverlap a display unit and which are operated through the touch panel,for example, there are apparatuses disclosed in Patent Document 1 andPatent Document 2. The information processing apparatus disclosed inPatent Document 1 sets the center point and the magnification whenenlarging or reducing an image on the basis of one trajectory when atouch position on the display screen of the display unit is moved, sothat image enlargement and reduction can be performed with a simpletouch operation of drawing the trajectory with one finger. The imagepickup device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a liquid crystalmonitor with a backlight that displays an image on the basis of an imagesignal from a charge coupled device (CCD), a release button having atouch sensor that detects a finger touch, and light control means forturning on or off the backlight based on the determination of the touchsensor regarding whether or not a finger has touched the release button.

In addition, in the mobile terminal disclosed in Patent Document 3, whena sliding operation is performed within the operating region for a touchpanel provided on the top surface of an LCD monitor that displays theoperating region including a plurality of keys, the CPU determineswhether or not the sliding operation is a specific operation. If it isdetermined that the sliding operation is a specific operation, anunresponsive region is set in a touch reaction region of the touchpanel.

In addition, most smartphones described above have a communicationfunction that enables Internet connection, and can obtain variousprograms provided by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) andthe like. Therefore, by downloading various applications other than anapplication installed initially (dedicated program; hereinafter,referred to as an “application”), the functions different from theapplication installed initially (referred to as a “pre-installedapplication”) can be enjoyed. As the pre-installed application, forexample, there is a camera application. By downloading another cameraapplication having a different function from the camera application, thefunction different from the pre-installed application can be enjoyed.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   Patent Document 1: JP-A-2010-271774-   Patent Document 2: JP-A-2008-227925-   Patent Document 3: JP-A-2010-009335

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, when using the mobile terminal, such as the smartphonedescribed above, as a camera, there is a problem that it is difficult toview the screen of the display unit under bright environment due toexternal light, such as the outdoors under the clear sky, andaccordingly it is difficult to determine the composition. In addition,in order to avoid this problem, a mechanism in which a function menu orthe like for increasing the brightness temporarily when the mobileterminal is used as a camera is provided and a user selects the functionmenu. However, it is not possible to perform the setting in a situationwhere the screen of the display unit is not viewed from the beginning.In addition, this problem may occur not only in a mobile terminal thatcan be used as a camera but also in a dedicated camera (so-calleddigital camera).

In addition, in a mobile terminal having a large display unit, such as asmartphone, the size of the display unit has been increased so as not tochange the size of the housing. As a result, the frame size has beendecreased. However, as the frame size decreases, mere touching of theend of the housing may cause the mobile terminal to operate. That is,processing caused by an unintentional operation may occur. For example,when a mobile terminal has a mechanism for an auto focus (AF) operationor imaging of a camera by touch, unintentional imaging may occur just bytouching the end of the housing before imaging of the camera.

In addition, when an application having a different function from thepre-installed application, such as the camera application describedabove, is downloaded, the user needs to perform switching between thepre-installed application and the downloaded application by iconselection on the home screen. Accordingly, there is a problem in thatthe operation to use these applications is complicated and accordinglyit is difficult to use the applications. For example, when a scene to beimaged needs to be imaged in both the pre-installed application and thedownloaded application, it is necessary to start and end the programtwice. That is, assuming that switching is performed in order of thepre-installed application and the downloaded application, it isnecessary to perform switching in order of start and end of thepre-installed application and start and end of the downloadedapplication.

This problem will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.FIG. 32 is an overview diagram showing an example of a mobile terminalthat has a communication function and can download a program through anetwork, such as the Internet. As shown in this diagram, a plurality oficons 510 are displayed on the home screen of a terminal 500. Here, itis assumed that an application (1) is set for the icon 510 indicated by“number 1” and an application (20) is set for the icon 510 indicated by“number 20”. In addition, it is assumed that the application (20) isdownloaded. When using the application (1), the icon 510 indicated by“number 1” is touched. Accordingly, the application (1) starts, so thatthe application (1) can be used. Then, when the application (20) isused, the application (1) is stopped to return to the home screen, andthen the icon 510 indicated by “number 20” is touched. Accordingly, theapplication (20) starts, so that the application (20) can be used. FIG.33 is a flowchart showing this procedure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, andit is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickupdevice and an image pickup method capable of checking the screen of adisplay unit easily even if the imaging is done under brightenvironment, such as the outdoors under the clear sky.

In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide animage pickup device capable of preventing a malfunction caused bytouching the end of the housing even if the frame of the housing becomesnarrow with increase in the size of the display unit.

In addition, it is still another object of the present invention toprovide an image pickup device capable of performing program switchingwith a simple operation.

Means for Solving the Problem

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a display unit which displays an image captured by thecamera unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the displayunit, wherein when a predetermined operation is performed on the touchpanel, a brightness of the display unit is changed from a firstbrightness to a second brightness brighter than the first brightness,wherein the display unit displays thereon an indication showing that thebrightness has increased, and wherein the indication showing that thebrightness has increased is continued even at least after changing tothe second brightness.

According to the configuration described above, when a predeterminedoperation is performed on the touch panel, the brightness of the displayunit is changed from the first brightness to the second brightnessbrighter than the first brightness, the display unit displays thereonthe indication showing that the brightness has increased, and theindication showing that the brightness has increased is continued evenat least after changing to the second brightness. Therefore, even if theimaging is done under bright environment, such as the outdoors under theclear sky, the screen of the display unit can be checked easily andreliably. In addition, after the brightness has increased, thebrightness change can be reliably recognized on the basis of theindication showing that the brightness has increased.

In the configuration described above, the predetermined operation is aflick operation.

According to the configuration described above, the brightness of thedisplay unit can be easily changed with a simple operation (flickoperation) of touching the screen with a finger and sliding the fingerslightly.

In the configuration described above, the display unit has a rectangularshape, and the flick operation is a flick operation along a transversedirection of the rectangular shape.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to changethe brightness of the display unit easily.

In the configuration described above, a sensor which detects a verticaldirection is provided, and the flick operation is a flick operation fromdown to up along the vertical direction.

According to the configuration described above, when increasing thebrightness of the display unit, the flick operation from down to up isperformed. Therefore, an intuitive operation is possible.

In the configuration described above, assuming that the flick operationis defined as a first flick operation, when a second flick operation inan opposite direction to the first flick operation is performed, thebrightness of the display unit is changed from the second brightness tothe first brightness.

According to the configuration described above, when decreasing thebrightness of the display unit, a flick operation from up to down isperformed. Therefore, an intuitive operation is possible.

In the configuration described above, the indication showing that thebrightness has increased is displayed by an icon.

According to the configuration described above, the change to the secondbrightness can be easily recognized.

In the configuration described above, the indication showing that thebrightness has increased is displayed for a predetermined time.

According to the configuration described above, since the change to thesecond brightness is not missed, it can be reliably recognized that thedisplay unit has become bright.

In the configuration described above, the image displayed on the displayunit is a video image.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to changethe brightness of the display unit when capturing a video image beforeimaging an object (that is, before pressing a shutter).

In the configuration described above, the display unit is a liquidcrystal display device with a backlight, and the brightness of thedisplay unit is changed by changing the brightness of the backlight.

According to the configuration described above, the display unit can bemade bright by changing the brightness of the backlight.

In the configuration described above, the display unit is a displaydevice in which each pixel emits self-luminous light, and the brightnessof the display unit is changed by changing the brightness of theself-luminous light.

According to the configuration described above, using a display devicein which each pixel emits the self-luminous light, such as an electroluminescence (EL) display device, the display unit can be made bright bychanging the brightness of self-luminous light of the display device. Inaddition, by using this display device, it is possible to reduce powerconsumption compared with a liquid crystal display device that requiresa backlight.

In the configuration described above, a housing including a firstsurface and a second surface opposite to the first surface is provided,the camera unit is disposed on the first surface, and the display unitand the touch panel are disposed on the second surface.

In the configuration described above, a housing including a firstsurface and a second surface opposite to the first surface is provided,the camera unit is disposed on the first surface, and the display unitand the touch panel are disposed on the first surface.

The present invention provides an image pickup method which can be usedin an image pickup device including a camera unit, a display unit whichdisplays an image captured by the camera unit, and a touch paneldisposed so as to overlap the display unit, the image pickup method,when a predetermined operation is performed on the touch panel,including: a step of changing a brightness of the display unit from afirst brightness to a second brightness brighter than the firstbrightness; and a step of displaying on the display unit an indicationshowing that the brightness has increased, wherein the indicationshowing that the brightness has increased is continued even at leastafter changing to the second brightness.

According to the method described above, when a predetermined operationis performed on the touch panel, the brightness of the display unit ischanged from the first brightness to the second brightness brighter thanthe first brightness, the display unit displays thereon the indicationshowing that the brightness has increased, and the indication showingthat the brightness has increased is continued even at least afterchanging to the second brightness. Therefore, even if the imaging isdone under bright environment, such as the outdoors under the clear sky,the screen of the display unit can be checked easily and reliably.

The present invention provides an image pickup program which can be usedin an image pickup device including a camera unit, a display unit whichdisplays an image captured by the camera unit, and a touch paneldisposed so as to overlap the display unit, the image pickup programincluding: a step of changing a brightness of the display unit from afirst brightness to a second brightness brighter than the firstbrightness when a predetermined operation is performed on the touchpanel; and a step of displaying on the display unit an indicationshowing that the brightness has increased, wherein the indicationshowing that the brightness has increased is continued even at leastafter changing to the second brightness.

According to the image pickup program described above, when apredetermined operation is performed on the touch panel, the brightnessof the display unit is changed from the first brightness to the secondbrightness brighter than the first brightness, the display unit displaysthereon an indication showing that the brightness has increased, and theindication showing that the brightness has increased is continued evenat least after changing to the second brightness. Therefore, even if theimaging is done under bright environment, such as the outdoors under theclear sky, the screen of the display unit can be checked easily andreliably.

The present invention provides a server storing the image pickup programdescribed above so as to be downloadable.

According to the configuration described above, since it is possible toobtain an image pickup program in the form of download, it is possibleto improve the convenience.

The present invention provides a display device including: a displayunit which displays an image; and a touch panel disposed so as tooverlap the display unit, wherein when a predetermined operation isperformed on the touch panel, a brightness of the display unit ischanged from a first brightness to a second brightness brighter than thefirst brightness, wherein the display unit displays thereon anindication showing that the brightness has increased, and wherein theindication showing that the brightness has increased is continued evenat least after changing to the second brightness.

According to the configuration described above, when a predeterminedoperation is performed on the touch panel, the brightness of the displayunit is changed from the first brightness to the second brightnessbrighter than the first brightness, the display unit displays thereon anindication showing that the brightness has increased, and the indicationshowing that the brightness has increased is continued even at leastafter changing to the second brightness. Therefore, even if the imagingis done under bright environment, such as the outdoors under the clearsky, the screen of the display unit can be checked easily and reliably.

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a display unit which displays an image captured by thecamera unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the displayunit, wherein when a predetermined operation is performed on the touchpanel, a gamma characteristic of the display unit is changed from afirst gamma characteristic to a second gamma characteristic, wherein thedisplay unit displays thereon an indication showing that the gammacharacteristic of the display unit has been changed, and wherein theindication showing that the gamma characteristic has been changed iscontinued even at least after changing to the second gammacharacteristic.

According to the configuration described above, when a predeterminedoperation is performed on the touch panel, the gamma characteristic ofthe display unit is changed from the first gamma characteristic (gammacharacteristic of high recognizability in a dark environment) to thesecond gamma characteristic (gamma characteristic of highrecognizability in bright environment), and the display unit displaysthereon the indication showing that the gamma characteristic of thedisplay unit has been changed, and the indication showing that the gammacharacteristic has been changed is continued even at least afterchanging to the second gamma characteristic. Therefore, even if theimaging is done under bright environment, such as the outdoors under theclear sky, the screen of the display unit can be checked easily andreliably. In addition, after changing to the gamma characteristic ofhigh recognizability in bright environment, the change of the gammacharacteristic can be reliably recognized on the basis of the indicationshowing that the gamma characteristic has been changed.

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a display unit that displays an image captured by thecamera unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the displayunit, wherein when a predetermined operation is performed on the touchpanel, an imaging condition in the camera unit is changed from a firstimaging condition to a second imaging condition different from the firstimaging conditions.

According to the configuration described above, since the imagingcondition in the camera unit is changed from the first imaging conditionto the second imaging condition different from the first imagingcondition when a predetermined operation is performed on the touchpanel, the imaging condition in the camera unit can be quickly changedby the predetermined operation. As a result, the operability isimproved. For example, a chance of missing the imaging opportunity issignificantly reduced.

In the configuration described above, a synthesizing unit which performsat least one of synthesizing processing and animation processing on afirst image captured under the first imaging condition and a secondimage captured under the second imaging condition is provided, and thefirst and second images after at least one of the synthesizingprocessing and the animation processing is performed are displayed onthe display unit.

According to the configuration described above, since at least one ofthe synthesizing processing and the animation processing is performed ona captured image, the change in the imaging condition can be recognizedintuitively. Accordingly, the operability is improved. In addition, anamusement effect is also obtained by performing the animationprocessing.

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a flashlight unit capable of emitting light at a time ofimaging of the camera unit; a display unit which displays an imagecaptured by the camera unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlapthe display unit, wherein when a predetermined operation is performed onthe touch panel, setting of the flashlight unit is changed.

According to the configuration described above, the setting of theflashlight unit is changed when a predetermined operation is performedon the touch panel. Therefore, the setting of the flashlight unit can bechanged immediately by the predetermined operation without having toopen the menu or the operation of hard keys. As a result, theoperability is improved. For example, a chance of missing the imagingopportunity is significantly reduced.

In the configuration described above, the setting of the flashlight unitincludes at least one of auto flash, flash ON, flash OFF, and steadylighting.

According to the configuration described above, when the setting of theflashlight unit is flash ON and flash OFF, it is possible to prohibitflashing easily. Therefore, there is no bothering due to flashing at thetime of imaging.

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a display unit which displays an image captured by thecamera unit; a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the display unit;and a storage unit which stores a predetermined operation on the touchpanel in association with a function to be executed, by a settingoperation on the touch panel.

According to the configuration described above, since the predeterminedoperation on the touch panel and a function to be executed are stored inassociation with each other, the function to be executed by thepredetermined operation can be customized freely. Accordingly, theoperability is improved.

In the configuration described above, when a second predeterminedoperation different from the predetermined operation is performed on thetouch panel, the predetermined operation on the touch panel and thefunction to be executed, which are stored in the storage unit inassociation with each other, are read and listed on the display unit.

According to the configuration described above, when the secondpredetermined operation is performed on the touch panel, thepredetermined operation on the touch panel and the function to beexecuted are listed on the display unit, it is possible to easily checkthe setting state of the function. Therefore, the operability isimproved.

In the configuration described above, the second predetermined operationincludes at least a long pressing operation.

In the configuration described above, the second imaging conditionallows a plurality of imaging conditions to be changed continuously.

In the configuration described above, the predetermined operationincludes at least one of a flick operation, a sliding operation, and adrag operation.

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a display unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlapthe display unit, wherein the display unit has at least a first mode inwhich an image captured by the camera unit is displayed, and a secondmode in which a predetermined image is displayed, wherein in the firstmode, the touch panel has an unresponsive region with a predeterminedwidth in a peripheral portion of the display unit, and wherein in thesecond mode, the touch panel does not have the unresponsive region.

According to the configuration described above, in the first mode inwhich an image captured by the camera unit is displayed, the touch panelhas an unresponsive region with a predetermined width in the peripheralportion of the display unit. Therefore, even if the end of the housingis touched at the time of imaging of the camera, a malfunction does notoccur even if the touch point is within the unresponsive region. Thatis, it is possible to prevent a malfunction caused by touching the endof the housing.

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a display unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlapthe display unit, wherein the display unit has at least a first mode inwhich an image captured by the camera unit is displayed, and a secondmode in which a predetermined image is displayed, wherein in the firstmode, the touch panel has an unresponsive region with a first width in aperipheral portion of the display unit, and wherein in the second mode,the touch panel has an unresponsive region with a second width, which issmaller than the first width, in the peripheral portion of the displayunit.

According to the configuration described above, the touch panel has anunresponsive region with the first width in the peripheral portion ofthe display unit in the first mode in which an image captured by thecamera unit is displayed, and an unresponsive region with the secondwidth smaller than the first width in the peripheral portion of thedisplay unit in the second mode. Therefore, even if the end of thehousing is touched at the time of imaging of the camera, a malfunctiondoes not occur even if the touch point is within the unresponsive regionof the first width. In addition, even if the end of the housing istouched while imaging of the camera is not performed, a malfunction doesnot occur if the touch point is within the unresponsive region of thesecond width. That is, it is possible to prevent a malfunction caused bytouching the end of the housing.

In the configuration described above, the display unit has a rectangularshape, and the unresponsive region is disposed along at least one sideof the rectangular shape.

In the configuration described above, in the display unit in the firstmode, an icon is displayed in a range of a predetermined distance from afirst side of the rectangular shape, and the unresponsive region isdisposed along the first side and does not include at least a part of aregion where the icon is displayed.

In the configuration described above, in the display unit in the firstmode, an icon is displayed in a range of the predetermined distance fromthe first side of the rectangular shape, the unresponsive regionincludes at least a first unresponsive region disposed along the firstside and a second unresponsive region disposed along a second sideadjacent to the first side, and a width of the first unresponsive regionis larger than a width of the second unresponsive region.

In the configuration described above, the unresponsive region isdisposed along at least two opposing sides of the rectangular shape.

In the configuration described above, the unresponsive region isdisposed along four sides of the rectangular shape.

In the configuration described above, a width of the unresponsive regionon a short side of the rectangular shape is larger than a width of theunresponsive region on a long side of the rectangular shape.

In the configuration described above, in the first mode, the displayunit displays the image captured by the camera unit on a substantiallyentire surface.

In the configuration described above, in the first mode, an area of theimage captured by the camera unit and displayed on the display unit isequal to or greater than 80% of a total area of the display unit.

In the configuration described above, a housing covered by at least afirst surface and a second surface is provided, the display unit and thetouch panel are disposed on the first surface, and an edge portion isprovided between the display unit and a corner between the first andsecond surfaces.

In the configuration described above, a width of the edge portion isgreater than 0 mm and less than 3.5 mm.

In the configuration described above, the touch panel is disposed so asto overlap a substantially entire surface of the display unit.

In the configuration described above, an area of the display unitoverlapped with the touch panel is 90% or more and 100% or less of anarea of the display unit.

In the configuration described above, an area of the touch paneloverlapped with the display unit is 90% or more and 100% or less of anarea of the touch panel.

In the configuration described above, in a region of the touch panelother than the unresponsive region, an input of at least one functions(1) to (5) is received as follows:

(1) selection of an object of auto focus

(2) shutter

(3) selection of an object of electronic zoom

(4) selection of an object to adjust exposure; and

(5) selection of an object to adjust white balance.

The present invention provides an image pickup device including: acamera unit; a display unit which displays an image captured by thecamera unit; and a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the displayunit, wherein the image pickup device has at least a first mode and asecond mode, wherein switching from the first mode to the second modeoccurs by a first flick operation in a first direction, and wherein apredetermined program is allowed to be started in the second mode.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to switcha program with a simple operation called a flick operation.

In the configuration described above, a communication unit capable ofperforming radio communication with an outside is provided, and thepredetermined program is obtainable through the communication unit.

According to the configuration described above, a predetermined programcan be easily acquired.

In the configuration described above, the predetermined program isallowed to be set by the user.

In the configuration described above, if the predetermined program isset and switching from the first mode to the second mode occurs, thepredetermined program starts, and if the predetermined program is notset and switching from the first mode to the second mode occurs, anindication prompting setting of the program is displayed.

According to the configuration described above, since the indicationprompting the setting of the program is displayed if the predeterminedprogram is not set and switching from the first mode to the second modeoccurs, it is possible to ensure the setting of the predeterminedprogram.

In the configuration described above, if the predetermined program isset and switching from the first mode to the second mode occurs, thepredetermined program starts, and if the predetermined program is notset and switching from the first mode to the second mode occurs, afunction of prompting setting of the program starts.

According to the configuration described above, since the function ofprompting the setting of the program starts if the predetermined programis not set and switching from the first mode to the second mode occurs,it is possible to ensure the setting of the predetermined program.

In the configuration described above, switching from the second mode tothe first mode occurs due to a second flick operation in a seconddirection that is an opposite direction to the first direction.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to returnto the first mode from the second mode.

In the configuration described above, the first mode is a mode set inadvance.

In the configuration described above, the display unit has a rectangularshape, and the first direction is a direction away from a predeterminedside of the rectangular shape.

In the configuration described above, the first direction is a directionaway from the predetermined side of the rectangular shape, and is adirection toward the center of the rectangular shape.

According to the configuration described above, since the firstdirection is limited, it is possible to reduce operation errors.

In the configuration described above, in the first mode, when a regionof a predetermined width from the predetermined side is touched on thetouch panel, display corresponding to the second mode is performed.

According to the configuration described above, since a region wheredisplay corresponding to the second mode is performed is limited, it ispossible to reduce operation errors.

In the configuration described above, the display corresponding to thesecond mode is a graphic, an icon, or text.

In the configuration described above, after the region of thepredetermined width is touched, an input of the first flick operation isallowed continuously.

According to the configuration described above, since the first flickoperation can be input by touching the region, it is possible to reduceoperation errors.

In the configuration described above, when the region of thepredetermined width from the predetermined side is touched on the touchpanel for a predetermined time, display corresponding to the second modeis performed.

According to the configuration described above, since the displaycorresponding to the second mode is performed by touching the region fora predetermined time, it is possible to reduce operation errors.

In the configuration described above, the first mode is a first imagingmode, and the second mode is a second imaging mode.

In the configuration described above, the first mode is a first imagingmode, and the second mode is a mode for displaying an image captured inthe first imaging mode.

In the configuration described above, the first mode is a first imagingmode, and the second mode is a mode for editing an image captured in thefirst imaging mode.

In the configuration described above, the touch panel is disposed so asto overlap a substantially entire surface of the display unit.

In the configuration described above, an area of the display unitoverlapped with the touch panel is 90% or more and 100% or less of anarea of the display unit.

In the configuration described above, an area of the touch paneloverlapped with the display unit is 90% or more and 100% or less of anarea of the touch panel.

Advantages of the Invention

According to the present invention, even if the imaging is done underbright environment, such as the outdoors under the clear sky, the screenof a display unit can be easily and reliably checked. Therefore, it iseasy to determine the composition.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible toprevent a malfunction caused by touching the end of the housing even ifthe frame of the housing becomes narrow with increase in the size of thedisplay unit.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible toswitch a program with a simple operation called a flick operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing an overview of theimage pickup device shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b) are diagrams for explaining an operation ofchanging the brightness of a display unit of the image pickup deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an indication showing that thedisplay unit of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 1 has becomebright.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the brightness change process ofthe display unit of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an overview of an image pickupdevice that is a modification of the image pickup device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device that is an application example of the image pickupdevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of adisplay device that is an application example of the image pickup deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 10( a) to 10(e) are schematic diagrams showing an example of animaging condition change and a flashlight setting change in the imagepickup device shown in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11( a) to 11(e) are schematic diagrams showing an example of aflick function change operation in the image pickup device shown in FIG.9.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of FIGS. 11( d) and 11(e).

FIGS. 13( a) to 13(e) are schematic diagrams showing another example ofthe flick function change operation in the image pickup device shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a page turning process performed by theflick operation of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 9 and aflashlight change process performed by the flick operation in a verticaldirection.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flick setting change process of theimage pickup device shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a guide display process performed by thelong pressing operation of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 18( a) and 18(b) are perspective views showing an overview of theimage pickup device shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an unresponsive region set in a first modeof the image pickup device shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display state in a second mode of theimage pickup device shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state where the left and right thumbs aretouching a display unit of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image pickupdevice shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a modification of an unresponsive region ofthe image pickup device shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a modification of an unresponsive region ofthe image pickup device shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing five sensitive regions set in a touch panelin a first mode of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 25.

FIGS. 27( a) to 27(e) are diagrams showing the application startoperation of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a specific example of the use of the imagepickup device shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the process of application switching ofthe image pickup device shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a display prompting thesetting of an application in the image pickup device shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining the application selection processof the image pickup device shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 32 is an overview diagram showing an example of a mobile terminalthat has a communication function and can download an applicationthrough a network, such as the Internet.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the application start procedure of themobile terminal shown in FIG. 32.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing anoverview of the image pickup device according to the present embodiment.In FIG. 1, an image pickup device 1 according to the present embodimentincludes a camera unit 2, a display unit 3, a touch panel 4, a verticalsensor 5, and a central processing unit (CPU) 6. In addition, as shownin FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b), the image pickup device 1 according to thepresent embodiment is formed by a rectangular parallelepiped housing,and the camera unit 2 is disposed on one surface (first surface) 1A sideof the housing and the display unit 3 and the touch panel 4 are disposedon the other surface (second surface) 1B side. Each of the display unit3 and the touch panel 4 is formed in a rectangular shape.

The camera unit 2 has an imaging element (not shown), such as a CCD or acomplementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and generates andoutputs an image signal of an object formed on the imaging element. Thedisplay unit 3 is a liquid crystal display device including a backlight31, and displays an image captured by the camera unit 2. On the displayunit 3, a video image is displayed before capturing an object (that is,before pressing a shutter), and a still image is temporarily displayedafter the object is captured. In addition, a video image is displayedwhen reproducing the captured video image, and a still image isdisplayed when reproducing the captured still image. In addition,although not shown, the image pickup device 1 according to the presentembodiment has a memory such as a flash memory that stores capturedvideo images or still images. The brightness of the display unit 3 ischanged by changing the brightness of the backlight 31.

The touch panel 4 is disposed so as to overlap the display surface ofthe display unit 3 on the opposite side to the backlight 31, and outputsthe information of the position where the finger or the like of a personhas touched. The vertical sensor 5 is used to detect the verticaldirection of the image pickup device 1, and outputs a signal of a levelcorresponding to the direction of the image pickup device 1. A sensorsignal of the vertical sensor 5 is maximized when the image pickupdevice 1 is aligned in the vertical direction. The CPU 6 controls eachunit of the apparatus, and has a ROM and a RAM (not shown). A programfor controlling the CPU 6 is stored in the ROM. The RAM is a so-calledwork memory used in the operation of the CPU 6.

When a predetermined operation is performed on the touch panel 4, theCPU 6 changes the brightness of the backlight 31 of the display unit 3from the first brightness to the second brightness brighter than thefirst brightness. In addition, the CPU 6 displays on the display unit 3an indication showing that the brightness has increased when thebrightness of the backlight 31 is changed to the second brightness. Inthis case, the CPU 6 continues the indication showing that thebrightness has increased, for a predetermined time after changing to thesecond brightness so that the user does not miss the change to thesecond brightness.

FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing examples of the operation whenchanging the brightness of the display unit 3. As shown in FIG. 3( a),when a fingertip is placed on the touch panel 4 and is slid slightlyupward in the lateral direction of the display unit 3, the brightness ofthe backlight 31 of the display unit 3 changes from the first brightnessto the second brightness. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3( b), when afingertip is placed on the touch panel 4 and is slid slightly downwardin the lateral direction of the display unit 3 in a state where thebrightness of the backlight 31 of the display unit 3 has changed to thesecond brightness, the brightness of the backlight 31 of the displayunit 3 changes from the second brightness to the first brightness. Suchan operation is called a flick operation. Brightness adjustment can beintuitively performed by moving the fingertip upward when increasing thebrightness of the backlight 31 of the display unit 3 and moving thefingertip downward when decreasing the brightness.

In the present embodiment, the flick operation described above may bemade to have a feature for the sliding speed (amount of movement perunit time). That is, in the image pickup device of the presentembodiment, there may be other flick operations for starting, forexample, other applications in addition to the flick operation. In thiscase, the sliding speed of the flick operation may be set higher thanthe sliding speed of other flick operations.

Accordingly, the flick operation and other flick operations can bedistinguished by the difference in sliding speed. As a result, it ispossible to prevent an erroneous operation in which the brightness ischanged by other flick operations (including a simple touch operation).

In the present embodiment, the flick operation when changing thebrightness of the display unit 3 is effective only while the verticaldirection is detected by the vertical sensor 5. That is, the CPU 6enables the flick operation for changing the brightness of the displayunit 3 only while the vertical sensor 5 is detecting the verticaldirection. In addition, since imaging may occur with the imagingdirection downward or imaging may occur with the imaging directionupward, the conditions of the vertical sensor 5 may be released.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an indication showing that thebrightness of the display unit 3 has increased. As shown in thisdiagram, the indication showing that the brightness of the display unit3 has increased is displayed by an icon 10. By displaying the fact thatthe brightness of the display unit 3 has increased, the user can easilyrecognize that the display unit 3 has changed to the second brightness.In addition, since the display is continued for a predetermined time,the user does not miss the change to the second brightness. As a result,the user can reliably recognize that the brightness of the display unit3 has increased.

In addition, the predetermined time may be set to start before thebrightness increases and continue even after the increase in thebrightness. In this case, it is possible to recognize the icon displayimmediately after the brightness increases.

In addition, the brightness may be set to increase gradually. In thiscase, the predetermined time may be set to start before the brightnessincreases and continue even after the brightness has increased (that is,after the brightness becomes fixed). Accordingly, it is possible torecognize the icon display immediately after the brightness hasincreased enough to recognize the icon display.

Next, the operation of the image pickup device 1 according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time ofbrightness control in the image pickup device 1 according to the presentembodiment. In this diagram, when the flick operation from down to upalong the vertical direction is detected in a state where the verticalsensor 5 detects the vertical direction, the CPU 6 changes thebrightness of the display unit 3, that is, the brightness of thebacklight 31, from the first brightness to the second brightness (stepS1). Then, the CPU 6 displays on the display unit 3 that the displayunit 3 has become bright (step S2). That is, the icon 10 shown in FIG. 4is displayed on the display unit 3. After displaying the icon 10continuously for a predetermined time, the display of the icon 10 iseliminated (step S3), and this process ends.

Thus, according to the image pickup device 1 according to the presentembodiment, a flick operation from down to up along the verticaldirection is performed on the touch panel 4, the brightness of thedisplay unit 3 is changed from the first brightness to the secondbrightness brighter than the first brightness, the display unit 3displays thereon the indication showing that the brightness hasincreased using the icon 10, and the display of the icon 10 is continuedeven after changing to the second brightness. Accordingly, even if theimaging is done under bright environment, such as the outdoors under theclear sky, the screen of the display unit 3 can be checked easily andreliably.

In addition, although the display unit 3 of the image pickup device 1according to the present embodiment is a liquid crystal display devicehaving the backlight 31, the display unit 3 may also be a display devicein which each pixel emits self-luminous light. In this case, thebrightness of the display unit is changed by changing the brightness ofself-luminous light. As a display device in which each pixel emitsself-luminous light, for example, there is an EL display device. Byusing this display device, it is possible to reduce power consumptioncompared with a liquid crystal display device that requires a backlight.

In addition, in the image pickup device 1 according to the presentembodiment, the camera unit 2 is disposed on the opposite surface to asurface on which the display unit 3 and the touch panel 4 are disposed.However, the camera unit 2 may be disposed on the same surface. Usingtwo camera units 2, one of them may be disposed on the surface on whichthe display unit 3 and the touch panel 4 are disposed, and the other onemay be disposed on the opposite surface. FIG. 6 is a perspective viewshowing an overview of an image pickup device 1C in which the cameraunit 2 is disposed on the surface side on which the display unit 3 andthe touch panel 4 are disposed.

In addition, a program describing the process in the image pickup device1 according to the present embodiment may be distributed in a statebeing stored in storage media, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc,a magneto-optical disc, and a semiconductor memory, or may be stored ina server (not shown) on the network, such as the Internet, and bedownloaded using the electrical communication line.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device that is an application example of the image pickupdevice 1 according to the present embodiment. An image pickup device 20shown in this diagram is formed by adding a communication unit 21 and astorage unit 22 to the image pickup device 1 described above, so that aprogram stored in a server on the Internet can be downloaded. The CPU 6accesses a server 50 on the Internet 40 through the communication unit21, and downloads a program (program embodying the flowchart shown inFIG. 5) stored in the server 50. In addition, the downloaded program isstored in the storage unit 22. The CPU 6 uses, for example, transmissioncontrol protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) and hyper text transferprotocol (HTTP) as protocols required for the exchange of data using anetwork, such as the Internet. The CPU 6 establishes a communicationpath using the TCP/IP, and transmits and receives data using the HTTP.

In addition, a display device may be made to have functions equivalentto the image pickup device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a displaydevice 60 that is an application example of the image pickup device 1according to the present embodiment. In addition, in this diagram, thesame reference numerals are given to portions common to FIG. 1 describedabove. The display device 60 shown in this diagram includes a displayunit 3 that displays an image and a touch panel 4 disposed so as tooverlap the display unit 3. When a predetermined operation is performedon the touch panel 4, the brightness of the display unit 3 is changedfrom the first brightness to the second brightness brighter than thefirst brightness, the display unit 3 displays thereon the indicationshowing that the brightness has increased, and the indication showingthat the brightness has increased is continued even at least afterchanging to the second brightness. In addition, for example, a videoimage obtained by receiving a television broadcast may be displayed onthe display unit 3.

In addition, the image pickup device of the present invention may alsobe applied to an apparatus having functions other than the imagingfunction, such as a smartphone. That is, such an image pickup device hasan imaging mode and modes of other functions.

In the imaging mode, as described so far, when a predetermined operationis performed on the touch panel, the brightness of the display unit isthe second brightness continuously after being changed from firstbrightness to the second brightness brighter than the first brightness.However, when a change to another function mode is made while thebrightness of the display unit is the second brightness continuously, achange to brightness (example: first brightness) darker than the secondbrightness may be made. Accordingly, in function modes other than theimaging mode, the brightness is decreased, and power consumption of theimage pickup device can be reduced. As a result, in the case of an imagepickup device operating with a battery, it is possible to lengthen theoperating time.

In addition, when a change to the imaging mode is made again, thereduced brightness (example: first brightness) may be maintained. Inthis case, since it is possible to reduce the frequency to become thesecond brightness, it is possible to further reduce the powerconsumption of the image pickup device. Therefore, in the case of animage pickup device operating with a battery, it is possible to furtherlengthen the operating time.

Second Embodiment

In addition, an image pickup device of another embodiment includes acamera unit, a display unit that displays an image captured by thecamera unit, and a touch panel disposed so as to overlap the displayunit. When a predetermined operation is performed on the touch panel,the gamma characteristic of the display unit is changed from the firstgamma characteristic to the second gamma characteristic, and the displayunit displays thereon an indication showing that the gammacharacteristic of the display unit has been changed. The indicationshowing that the gamma characteristic has been changed may be continuedeven at least after changing to the second gamma characteristic.

According to this configuration, when a predetermined operation isperformed on the touch panel, the gamma characteristic of the displayunit is changed from the first gamma characteristic (gammacharacteristic of high recognizability in a dark environment) to thesecond gamma characteristic (gamma characteristic of highrecognizability in bright environment), the display unit displaysthereon the indication showing that the gamma characteristic of thedisplay unit has been changed, and the indication showing that the gammacharacteristic has been changed is continued even at least afterchanging to the second gamma characteristic. Therefore, even if theimaging is done under bright environment, such as the outdoors under theclear sky, the screen of the display unit can be checked easily andreliably. In addition, after changing to the gamma characteristic ofhigh recognizability in bright environment, the change of the gammacharacteristic can be reliably recognized on the basis of the indicationshowing that the gamma characteristic has been changed.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention. In addition, in this diagram, the same reference numerals aregiven to portions common to the image pickup device 1 according to thefirst embodiment described above. An image pickup device 70 according tothe third embodiment includes a camera unit 2, a display unit 3, a touchpanel 4, a vertical sensor 5, a CPU 6, a flashlight unit 7, a storageunit 8, an operation determination unit 9, and a synthesizing unit 11.

The camera unit 2 has an imaging element (not shown), such as a CCD or aCMOS, and generates and outputs an image signal of an object formed onthe imaging element. The display unit 3 is a liquid crystal displaydevice (LCD) including a backlight 31, and displays an image captured bythe camera unit 2. On the display unit 3, a video image is displayedbefore capturing an object (that is, before pressing a shutter), and astill image is temporarily displayed after the object is captured. Inaddition, a video image is displayed when reproducing the captured videoimage, and a still image is displayed when reproducing the capturedstill image.

The flashlight unit 7 is emission-controlled by the CPU 6. The storageunit 8 stores the flick operation on the touch panel 4 and the functionto be executed in association with each other. A rewritable nonvolatilesemiconductor memory (for example, a flash memory) is used as thestorage unit 8. The operation determination unit 9 determines the flickoperation on the basis of the output information of the touch panel 4that is output from the CPU 6. if a function corresponding to thedetermined flick operation is stored in the storage unit 8, theoperation determination unit 9 outputs the function to the CPU 6. Inaddition, the operation determination unit 9 stores the flick operationon the touch panel 4 and the function to be executed in association witheach other in the storage unit 8 by a setting operation on the touchpanel 4.

When a flick operation is performed on the touch panel 4, the CPU 6changes the imaging conditions in the camera unit 2 from the currentimaging conditions (first imaging conditions) to different imagingconditions (second imaging conditions) from the current imagingconditions. In this case, examples of the imaging conditions include“scene” and “effect”. There are modes, such as “person”, “portrait”,“landscape”, and “party”, in the “scene”, and there are modes, such as“sepia”, “software”, “monochrome”, “high key”, and “low key”, in the“effect”. The CPU 6 changes, for example, the setting of the flashlightunit 7 when it is recognized that the flick operation has been performedon the touch panel 4. “auto flash”, “flash ON”, “flash OFF”, and “steadylighting” are included in the setting of the flashlight unit 7. Bymaking the setting of the flashlight unit 7 correspond to the flickoperation, a setting change can be performed immediately without havingto open the menu or the operation of hard keys. Accordingly, an effectthat a chance of missing the imaging opportunity is significantlyreduced is obtained. In addition, by setting the downward flickoperation to “flash OFF”, it is possible to prohibit flashing easily. Inthis case, there is no bothering due to flashing at the time of imaging.

The synthesizing unit 11 performs synthesizing or animation processingon an image (corresponding to a first image) captured by the currentimaging conditions (corresponding to first imaging conditions) and animage (corresponding to a second image) captured by the imagingconditions (corresponding to second imaging conditions) after the changeof the imaging conditions. That is, the synthesizing unit 11 performssynthesizing or animation processing using an image under the currentimaging conditions and an image under the changed imaging conditions inorder to show the effect of turning a page when changing the imagingconditions. In addition, only one of the synthesizing processing and theanimation processing may be performed, or both the synthesizingprocessing and the animation processing may be performed.

The CPU 6 displays two images (first and second images), which areobtained by the synthesizing or animation processing of the synthesizingunit 11, on the display unit 3. By the process of the synthesizing unit11, changes in the imaging conditions (effect before and after thechange), such as page turning, are understood by a change of the imagedisplayed on the display unit 3. Accordingly, changes in the imagingconditions can be intuitively recognized. In addition, an amusementeffect is also obtained by performing the animation processing.

FIGS. 10( a) to 10(e) are schematic diagrams showing an example of animaging condition change and a flashlight setting change. When the flickoperation is performed rightward on the touch panel 4 as shown in FIG.10( b) in a state where “normal mode” is set as shown in FIG. 10( a), agradual change from an image showing “normal mode (corresponding to thefirst imaging conditions)” to an image showing “sepia mode(corresponding to the second imaging conditions)” is made in a sense ofturning the page. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10( c), an image showing“sepia mode” appears, and “sepia mode” is set. In addition, the flickoperation may occur leftward on the touch panel 4 when returning to“normal mode” from “sepia mode”. Thus, the leftward flick operation andthe rightward flick operation are set to change the imaging conditions.In this case, by performing the flick operation rightward, a change from“normal mode” to imaging conditions present as “sepia mode”, “software”,and “monochrome” can be made consecutively. In addition, the imagingconditions are changed in the reverse order from “sepia mode” to “normalmode” by performing the flick operation leftward in the state of “sepiamode”.

On the other hand, when the flick operation is performed upward on thetouch panel 4 as shown in FIG. 10( d) in a state where “flash OFF” isset as shown in FIG. 10( a), an animation showing “flash ON” isdisplayed. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10( e), “flash ON” is set. Theflick operation may occur downward when returning to “flash OFF” fromthe state where “flash ON” is set. Thus, the upward flick operation andthe downward flick operation are set to “flash OFF” and “flash ON”. Inthis case, by performing the flick operation upward, the flashlightsetting is changed from “flash OFF” to “flash ON”. In addition, theflashlight setting is changed from “flash ON” to “flash OFF” byperforming the flick operation downward in the state of “flash ON”.

If the flick operation and the function to be executed are stored inassociation with each other in the storage unit 8, the setting can beeasily changed without calling the menu.

FIGS. 11( a) to 11(e) are schematic diagrams showing an example of aflick function change operation. These diagrams are an example ofsetting the brightness of the display unit 3 according to a flickoperation in a vertical direction. First, as shown in FIG. 11( a), amenu button 80 is touched in the initial screen. Then, as shown in FIG.11( b), a flick function change screen is displayed. When an up/downbutton 81 is touched in the flick function change screen, an up/downdirection setting screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 11( c). When anLCD brightness button 82 is touched in the up/down direction settingscreen, the LCD brightness is set in the vertical direction of the flickoperation. When the LCD brightness setting is completed, the screenreturns to the initial screen.

In order to check the set function, the touch panel 4 is pressed long inthe initial screen as shown in FIG. 11( d) (arbitrary position on thetouch panel 4 is pressed long). Then, as shown in FIG. 11( e), a flicksetting state is displayed. In this diagram, the LCD brightness is setin the vertical direction, and a scene is set in the horizontaldirection. For the LCD brightness setting, an upward direction is set toLCD brightness ON, and a downward direction is set to LCD brightnessOFF. When a predetermined time has passed from the display of the flicksetting state, the screen returns to the initial screen. FIG. 12 isenlarged views of FIGS. 11( d) and 11(e), where a flick setting state isdisplayed by pressing the touch panel 4 long in the initial screen andthe screen returns to the initial screen after the passage ofpredetermined time.

The operation when pressing the touch panel 4 long is as follows.

When the operation determination unit 9 recognizes that the output ofthe touch panel 4 takes the same value for a fixed time, the operationdetermination unit 9 reads from the storage unit 8 the flick operationon the touch panel 4 and the function to be executed and outputs them tothe CPU 6 as a current setting menu state. The CPU 6 lists the currentsetting menu state, which is output from the operation determinationunit 9, on the display unit 3.

FIGS. 13( a) to 13(e) are schematic diagrams showing another example ofthe flick function change operation. These diagrams are an example ofsetting the exposure of the camera unit 2 according to a flick operationin a horizontal direction. First, as shown in FIG. 13( a), the menubutton 80 is touched in the initial screen. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(b), a flick function change screen is displayed. When a left/rightbutton 83 is touched in the flick function change screen, a left/rightdirection setting screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 13( c). When anexposure change button 84 is touched in the left/right direction settingscreen, the exposure (+, −) is set in the horizontal direction of theflick operation. When the setting of the exposure (+, −) is completed,the screen returns to the initial screen.

In order to check the set function, an arbitrary position is pressedlong in the initial screen as shown in FIG. 13( d) (arbitrary positionon the touch panel 4 is pressed long). Then, as shown in FIG. 13( e), aflick setting state is displayed. In this diagram, the LCD brightness isset in the vertical direction, and the exposure (+, −) is set in thehorizontal direction. For the setting of the exposure (+, −), the rightdirection is exposure +, and the left direction is exposure −. When apredetermined time has passed from the display of the flick settingstate, the screen returns to the initial screen.

When the touch panel 4 is pressed long and the operation determinationunit 9 recognizes that the output of the touch panel 4 takes the samevalue for a fixed time as described above, the operation determinationunit 9 reads from the storage unit 8 the flick operation on the touchpanel 4 and the function to be executed and outputs them to the CPU 6 asa current setting menu state. The CPU 6 lists the current setting menustate, which is output from the operation determination unit 9, on thedisplay unit 3.

Thus, by graphically listing the default function or the assignment of aflick function customized by the user, the user can easily check whatkind of function is executed.

Next, the operation of an image pickup device 70 according to a thirdembodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a page turning process performed by theflick operation of the image pickup device 70 according to the thirdembodiment and a flashlight change process performed by the flickoperation in a vertical direction. The process is performed mainly bythe CPU 6 and the operation determination unit 9. In particular, the CPU6 and the operation determination unit 9 may perform the processtogether. Accordingly, the subject will be omitted.

In FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not a flick operation has beenperformed on the touch panel 4 (step S11). When it is determined that noflick operation has been performed (that is, when “NO” is determined inthe determination of step S11), it is determined whether or not afunction is assigned to the current operation (step S12). When it isdetermined that a function is assigned to the current operation in thedetermination of step S12 (that is, when “YES” is determined in thedetermination of step S12), a camera function corresponding to thefunction is executed (step S13). As the camera function, for example,there is a function of executing the touch Auto Focus (AF) by touchingthe touch panel 4.

After executing the camera function, this process ends. On the otherhand, when it is determined that no function is assigned to the currentoperation (that is, when “NO” is determined in the determination of stepS12), this process ends without performing any processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a flick operation has beenperformed on the touch panel 4 in the determination of step S11described above (that is, when “YES” is determined in the determinationof step S11), the set function is read from the storage unit 8 (stepS14). After reading the set function from the storage unit 8, it isdetermined whether or not the animation effect is required (step S15).That is, it is determined whether or not to change the imagingconditions in the page turning. When it is determined that the animationeffect is required in this determination (that is, when “YES” isdetermined in step S15), an image before the imaging conditions arechanged is acquired (step S16), and then the imaging conditions in thecamera unit 2 are changed (step S17). For example, a change from thenormal mode to the sepia mode is made.

Then, an image after the imaging conditions are changed is acquired(step S18), and then the acquired images before and after the change ofthe imaging conditions are synthesized to perform animation display(step S19).

When it is determined that the animation effect is not required in thedetermination of step S15 described above (that is, when “NO” isdetermined in step S15), the setting of the flashlight unit 7 is changed(step S20). Then, an image after the setting change is acquired (stepS21), and the acquired image is displayed (step S22). After performingprocessing for displaying this image, this process ends.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a setting change process performed by theflick operation. This process is also performed mainly by the CPU 6 andthe operation determination unit 9. In particular, the CPU 6 and theoperation determination unit 9 may perform the process together.Accordingly, the subject will be omitted. In FIG. 15, a setting changemenu is displayed first (step S30). Examples of the setting change menuare those shown in FIGS. 11( b) and 11(c). Then, the flick settingfunction is changed (step S31). The user can perform an operationaccording to the setting change menu so that the flick operation in thevertical direction is set to “brightness change of liquid crystal” andthe flick operation in the horizontal direction is set to “scene” or theflick operation in the vertical direction is set to “ON/OFF setting offlashlight” and the flick operation in the horizontal direction is setto “change of exposure correction”. After changing the flick settingfunction, the setting function is stored in the storage unit 8 (stepS32). After storing the setting function in the storage unit 8, thisprocess ends.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a guide display process performed by thelong pressing operation. This process is also performed mainly by theCPU 6 and the operation determination unit 9. In particular, the CPU 6and the operation determination unit 9 may perform the process together.Accordingly, the subject will be omitted. In FIG. 16, it is determinedfirst whether or not a long pressing operation has been performed fromthe output of the touch panel 4 (step S40). When it is determined that along pressing operation has not been performed (that is, when “NO” isdetermined in step S40), this process ends without performing anyprocessing. On the other hand, when it is determined that a longpressing operation has been performed (that is, when “YES” is determinedin step S40), the set function is read from the storage unit 8 (stepS41), and the set flick operation is guide-displayed (step S42). Afterthe guide display, this process ends. However, as described above, whena predetermined time has passed from the guide display, the guidedisplay ends.

Thus, according to the image pickup device 70 according to the thirdembodiment, when a flick operation is performed on the touch panel 4,the imaging conditions in the camera unit 2 are changed from the firstimaging conditions to the second imaging conditions that are differentfrom the first imaging conditions. Therefore, the imaging conditions inthe camera unit 2 can be quickly changed by the flick operation. As aresult, the operability is improved. For example, a chance of missingthe imaging opportunity is significantly reduced.

In addition, since at least either the synthesizing processing or theanimation processing is performed on a captured image, changes in theimaging conditions can be recognized intuitively. Accordingly, theoperability is improved. In addition, an amusement effect is alsoobtained by performing the animation processing.

In addition, since the setting of the flashlight unit 7 is changed whena flick operation is performed on the touch panel 4, the setting of theflashlight unit 7 can be changed immediately by the flick operationwithout having to open the menu or the operation of hard keys. As aresult, the operability is improved. For example, a chance of missingthe imaging opportunity is significantly reduced.

In addition, since a flick operation on the touch panel 4 and thefunction to be executed are stored in association with each other in thestorage unit 8, the function to be executed by the flick operation canbe customized freely. Accordingly, the operability is improved.

In addition, since a flick operation on the touch panel 4 and thefunction to be executed are listed on the display unit 3 when the touchpanel 4 is pressed long, it is possible to easily check the settingstate of the function. Accordingly, the operability is improved.

Moreover, in addition to the case of detection of long pressing, forexample, a case where a plurality of fingers are detectedsimultaneously, a case where a predetermined guide icon is touched, or acase where the trajectory of predetermined contact is detected is alsoincluded.

In addition, in the third embodiment, not only the detection of theflick operation but also a case of detection of the sliding operation ora case of detection of the drag operation is included.

In addition, also in the image pickup device 70 according to the thirdembodiment, a program describing each process (the page turning process,the flashlight change process, the setting change process, and the guidedisplay process) described above may be distributed in a state beingstored in storage media, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, amagneto-optical disc, and a semiconductor memory, or may be stored in aserver (not shown) on the network, such as the Internet, and bedownloaded using the electrical communication line.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 18( a) and 18(b) are perspective views showing anoverview of the image pickup device according to the present embodiment.As shown in FIG. 17, an image pickup device 101 according to the presentembodiment includes a camera unit 102 having two cameras 102A and 102B,a display unit 103 that displays an image captured by the camera unit102, a touch panel 104 for performing various operations to operate theimage pickup device 101, and a central processing unit (CPU) 105 thatcontrols each unit of the apparatus.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 18( a) and 18(b), the image pickup device101 according to the present embodiment has a housing 110 having ahorizontally long rectangular shape with a first surface 110A and asecond surface 110B. The display unit 103 and the touch panel 104 aredisposed on the first surface 110A, and an edge portion 110D is providedbetween the display unit 103 and a corner 110C between the first andsecond surfaces 110A and 110B. In addition, as shown in FIG. 18( a), thecamera 102A of the camera unit 102 is disposed in an upper left portion110Da of the edge portion 110D on the first surface 110A side. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 18( b), the camera 102B of the camera unit102 is disposed in an upper left portion 110Ba of the second surface110B of the housing 110. The edge portion 110D on the first surface 110Aside becomes narrow with increase in the size of the display unit 103.Each of the display unit 103 and the touch panel 104 is formed in arectangular shape. The width of the edge portion 110D is a value greaterthan 0 mm and less than 3.5 mm, for example. Alternatively, the width ofthe edge portion 110D may be any of the following (1) to (9) includingthis example.

(1) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 4.2 mm

(2) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 3.5 mm

(3) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 3.0 mm

(4) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 2.5 mm

(5) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 2.0 mm

(6) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 1.5 mm

(7) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 1.0 mm

(8) Value greater than 0 mm and less than 0.5 mm

(9) 0 mm (that is, when this image pickup device does not have an edgeportion)

The camera unit 102 outputs an image signal of an object captured by thecamera 102A or the camera 102B. The camera unit 102 performs controlrequired for imaging, such as auto focus (AF), auto exposure (AE), autowhite balance (AWB), electronic zoom, and imaging (shutter), at the timeof imaging. Each of the cameras 102A and 102B has an imaging element(not shown), such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementarymetal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and generates and outputs an imagesignal of an object formed on the imaging element.

The display unit 103 is a liquid crystal display device (LCD) includinga backlight 131, and displays an image captured by the camera unit 102or icons for executing various functions of the image pickup device 101.On the display unit 103, a video image is displayed before capturing anobject (that is, before a shutter operation), and a still image istemporarily displayed and then a video image is displayed after theobject is captured. In addition, a video image is displayed whenreproducing the captured video image, and a still image is displayedwhen reproducing the captured still image. In addition, although notshown, the image pickup device 101 has a memory such as a flash memoryfor storing captured video images or still images.

The touch panel 104 is disposed so as to overlap the display surface ofthe display unit 103 on the opposite side to the backlight 131. Thetouch panel 104 outputs the information of the position where the fingeror the like of a person has touched. The touch panel 104 has anunresponsive region with a predetermined width in a peripheral portionof the display unit 103 in a first mode, in which the display unit 103displays an image captured by the camera unit 102, and does not have anunresponsive region in a second mode in which a predetermined image (forexample, an image when viewing the homepage or an image when inputtingthe e-mail) is displayed. In the present embodiment, the size (area) ofthe touch panel 104 is set to be 90% or more and 100% or less of thearea of the display unit 103. In addition, the size of the display unit103 may be made smaller than that of the touch panel 104. For example,the size of the display unit 103 may be set to 90% or more and 100% orless of the area of the touch panel 104. In addition, the touch panel104 may be of a pressure sensitive type or an electrostatic capacitancetype, or may be of other types.

The CPU 105 has a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory(RAM), and a program for controlling the CPU 105 is stored in the ROM.Accordingly, the RAM is used in the operation of the CPU 105 (so-calledwork memory). The CPU 105 has a plurality of modes for controlling eachunit of the apparatus. Among the plurality of modes, in the first mode,an image captured by the camera unit 102 is displayed on the displayunit 103. In this case, the display area of the image captured by thecamera unit 102 is equal to or greater than 80% of the total area of thedisplay unit 103. Accordingly, the image captured by the camera unit 102is displayed on the substantially entire surface of the display unit103. In the second mode, a different image (predetermined image) fromthe image displayed in the first mode is displayed on the display unit103. In addition, in the first mode, the CPU 105 makes the touch panel104 set an unresponsive region with a predetermined width in aperipheral portion of the display unit 103. In the second mode, theunresponsive region is not set.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an unresponsive region set in the firstmode of the image pickup device 101. As shown in this diagram, in thetouch panel 104, an unresponsive region 115 is set in a peripheralportion of the display unit 103 in the first mode. The unresponsiveregion 115 is a belt-shaped region of a predetermined distance towardthe center of the display unit 103 from the boundary of the edge portion110D and the display unit 103, and is disposed along the four sides ofthe rectangular display unit 103. In this case, all unresponsive regionscorresponding to the respective sides of the rectangular display unit103 have the same width. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display state inthe second mode of the image pickup device 101. As shown in thisdiagram, the unresponsive region 115 is not set in the second mode.

Since the unresponsive region 115 is set in a peripheral portion of thedisplay unit 103 in the first mode, even if the finger of the usertouches the end of the housing 110 at the time of imaging of the camera,processing corresponding to the touched position is not executed if thetouch point is within the unresponsive region 115. Usually, both theshort sides of the housing 110 are held by both hands at the time ofimaging of the camera. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, left and rightthumbs 200L and 200R may touch the touch panel 104 (although it cannotbe said that the thumbs necessarily touch the touch panel 104, it can besaid that the percentage of thumb touches is high). In the case of animage pickup device that adopts a mechanism of performing auto focus,auto exposure, auto white balance, electronic zoom, and imaging(shutter) of a camera by touching a touch panel, a possibility ofimaging or the like due to touching the touch panel with either of theleft and right thumbs at the time of imaging of the camera is high. Inthe image pickup device 101 of the present embodiment, however, sincethe unresponsive region 115 is set in a peripheral portion of thedisplay unit 103 in the first mode, imaging or the like is not performedeven if the unresponsive region 115 is touched. That is, it is possibleto prevent a malfunction caused by touching the end of the housing atthe time of imaging of the camera.

On the other hand, an icon 120 (refer to FIG. 19) is effective even ifthe icon 120 is in the unresponsive region 115, and a touch to the icon120 is accepted. That is, the CPU 105 receives a touch to the icon 120present in the unresponsive region 115. Since the icon 120 is effectiveeven if the icon 120 is included in the unresponsive region 115, it doesnot matter even if a part of the icon 120 protrudes from theunresponsive region 115 regardless of the size of the unresponsiveregion 115.

When it is detected that a region of the touch panel 104 other than theunresponsive region 115 has been touched, the CPU 105 receives an inputof each function of the following (1) to (5). In this case, an input ofcombined functions of (1) to (5) or some of the functions is received.

(1) Selection of an object of auto focus

(2) Shutter (instruction to start imaging at least one still image whencapturing a still image, and instruction to start imaging a video imagewhen capturing a video image)

(3) Selection of an object of electronic zoom

(4) Selection of an object to adjust the exposure

(5) Selection of an object to adjust the white balance

Next, the operation of the image pickup device 101 according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image pickupdevice 101 according to the present embodiment. In this diagram, the CPU105 starts the camera unit 102 when detecting that a power switch (notshown) is turned on (step S101). After starting the camera unit 102, theCPU 105 receives a touch operation (step S102). Then, when a touchoperation is received, it is determined whether or not the touchedregion is an unresponsive region (step S103). When a touch operation hasbeen performed in a region other than the unresponsive region (that is,when “No” is determined in the determination of step S103), the CPU 105performs processing corresponding to the operation (step S104). Forexample, auto focus (AF), auto exposure (AE), auto white balance (AWB),electronic zoom, imaging start, and the like are executed. Afterperforming the processing, this process ends.

When a touch operation has been performed in the unresponsive region inthe determination of step S103 described above (that is, when “Yes” isdetermined in the determination of step S103), the CPU 105 determineswhether or not an icon is displayed (step S105). When no icon isdisplayed (when “No” is determined in the determination of step S105),no processing is performed (step S106). For example, auto focus (AF),auto exposure (AE), auto white balance (AWB), electronic zoom, andimaging start are not executed. After performing the processing, thisprocess ends.

When an icon is displayed in the determination of step S105 describedabove (when “Yes” is determined in the determination of step S105), theCPU 105 determines whether or not the touch point is the location of theicon (step S107). When the touch point is not the location of the icon(when “No” is determined in the determination of step S107), the processof step S106 is performed, and this process ends. On the other hand,when the touch point is the location of the icon (when “Yes” isdetermined in the determination of step S107), the CPU 105 executes thefunction of the touched icon (step S108). After performing theprocessing, this process ends.

Thus, according to the image pickup device 101 according to the presentembodiment, the display unit 103 has a first mode in which an imagecaptured by the camera unit 102 is displayed and a second mode in whicha predetermined image is displayed. In addition, in the first mode, thetouch panel 104 has the unresponsive region 115 with a predeterminedwidth in a peripheral portion of the display unit 103. Therefore, evenif the frame of the housing 110 becomes narrow with increase in the sizeof the display unit 103, it is possible to prevent a malfunction causedby touching the end of the housing 110.

In addition, although the unresponsive region 115 is disposed along thefour sides of the rectangular display unit 103 in the presentembodiment, the unresponsive region 115 may be disposed along at leastone side of the display unit 103 without being limited to this pattern.For example, the unresponsive region 115 may be disposed along twoopposing sides of the rectangular display unit 103. In addition, it isalso possible to change the widths on the long and short sides of therectangular display unit 103. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, thewidth W1 of an unresponsive region 115A on the short side of therectangular display unit 103 may be larger than the width W2 of anunresponsive region 115B on the long side of the display unit 103.

In addition, the unresponsive region 115 may also be set in the secondmode. In this case, the width of the unresponsive region may be setsmaller than that in the first mode. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing thefirst surface 110A side of the housing 110 in the second mode. As shownin this diagram, in the second mode, an unresponsive region 116 having anarrower width than in the first mode is set in the touch panel 104.

In addition, although the touch panel 104 sets the unresponsive region115 in the present embodiment, the CPU 105 may set the unresponsiveregion 115 for a touch operation. That is, the CPU 105 sets anunresponsive region with a predetermined width in a peripheral portionof the display unit 103 for a touch operation in the first mode, andsets no unresponsive region for a touch operation in the second mode.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the CPU 105 is made to have aprogram describing the process shown by the flowchart of FIG. 22.However, the program may be distributed in a state being stored instorage media, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, amagneto-optical disc, and a semiconductor memory, or may be stored in aserver (not shown) on the network, such as the Internet, and bedownloaded using the electrical communication line.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of animage pickup device according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. In this diagram, an image pickup device 301 according to thepresent embodiment includes a camera unit 302, a display unit 303 thatdisplays an image captured by the camera unit 302, a touch panel 304 forperforming various operations to operate the image pickup device 301, acommunication unit 305 that performs radio communication with a marketsite 410 on a network 400, such as the Internet, and a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 306 that controls each unit of the apparatus.

The camera unit 302 has an imaging element (not shown), such as a chargecoupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS), and outputs an image signal of an object formed on the imagingelement. In the camera unit 302, at the time of imaging, controlrequired for the imaging, such as auto focus, auto exposure, auto whitebalance, electronic zoom, and imaging (shutter), is performed.

The display unit 303 is a rectangular liquid crystal display deviceincluding a backlight (not shown), and is used for a display foroperating the image pickup device 301, display of an image captured bythe image pickup device 301, and the like. The touch panel 304 hassubstantially the same rectangular shape as the display unit 303, and isdisposed so as to overlap the display surface of the display unit 303 onthe opposite side to the side on which a backlight (not shown) isprovided. The touch panel 304 outputs the coordinate information of theposition where the finger or the like of a person has touched. Thecoordinate information output from the touch panel 304 is input to theCPU 306. In the image pickup device 301, the size (that is, area) of thetouch panel 304 is set to be 90% or more and 100% or less of the area ofthe display unit 303. In addition, the size of the display unit 303 maybe made smaller than that of the touch panel 304. For example, the sizeof the display unit 303 may be set to 90% or more and 100% or less ofthe area of the touch panel 304. The communication unit 305 performsradio communication with the market site 410 on the network 400.

The CPU 306 has a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM),and the like that are not shown. A program for controlling the CPU 306is stored in the ROM. The RAM is a so-called work memory used in theoperation of the CPU 306. The CPU 306 displays a home screen on thedisplay unit 303 immediately after the start of the image pickup device301 (that is, immediately after turning on the power supply).

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing five sensitive regions set in the touchpanel 304 in the first mode. In this diagram, the five sensitive regionsare four sensitive regions 310 to 313, which are set along theperipheral edge of the touch panel 304, and a sensitive region 314surrounded by the four sensitive regions 310 to 313. Each of the foursensitive regions 310 to 313 forms a trapezoidal shape having apredetermined width, and the touch panel 304 is formed in a rectangularshape in particular. The two sensitive regions 311 and 313 on the longside of the touch panel 304 are longer than the two sensitive regions310 and 312 on the short side.

The CPU 306 detects a touch of the finger of a person in each of thefive sensitive regions 310 to 314 and executes an application (program),which is set corresponding to each of the five sensitive regions 310 to314, according to the movement of the finger thereafter. Here, among thefour sensitive regions 310 to 313 set in the peripheral edge of thetouch panel 304, the sensitive region 310, the sensitive region 311, thesensitive region 312, and the sensitive region 313 are called“application (1) selection button 310S”, “application (2) selectionbutton 311S”, “application (3) selection button 312S”, and “application(4) selection button 313S”, respectively. The application (1) selectionbutton 310S to application (4) selection button 313S are buttons forstarting downloaded applications (programs). In addition, the sensitiveregion 314 surrounded by the four sensitive regions 310 to 313 is calleda “menu 314S” in a pre-installed application.

The CPU 306 operates in a plurality of modes. In particular, first andsecond modes operate as imaging modes, and a third mode operates as anapplication selection mode. When electric power is supplied to the imagepickup device 301 and a user designates a pre-installed applicationoperating as the first mode, the CPU 306 executes the first mode. Whenit is detected that the menu 314S in the pre-installed application ofthe touch panel 304 has been touched in the first mode, displaycorresponding to the first mode is performed. Display corresponding tothe first mode is a graphic, an icon, or text. The pre-installedapplication is an application installed in the image pickup device 301from the beginning, and is a “camera application”, for example. The usercan enjoy the application by activating the application.

In addition, when it is detected that one of the application (1)selection button 310S to application (4) selection button 313S of thetouch panel 304 has been touched during the operation in the first mode,the CPU 306 performs display corresponding to the second mode. Displaycorresponding to the second mode is a graphic, an icon, or text. Byperforming the display, it is possible to reduce operation errors in thesame manner as described above. Here, it is assumed that the application(1) selection button 310S has been touched. When the CPU 306 detectsthat the button has been touched exceeding a predetermined time (forexample, 1 to 2 seconds) and further detects a flick operation (firstflick operation) in a direction away from the button (first directionaway from the long side of the sensitive region 310), switching from thefirst mode to the second mode occurs to start an application set for theapplication (1) selection button 310S.

By activating the application set for the application (1) selectionbutton 310S, the user can enjoy the application. If the application is,for example, an “application of a camera”, the user can enjoy a camerafunction that is different from the pre-installed camera application.However, when enjoying the downloaded application, it is necessary todownload the application from the market site 410 on the network 400 inadvance. In the image pickup device 301, four downloaded applicationscan be set for the four application (1) selection button 310S toapplication (4) selection button 313S.

FIGS. 27( a) to 27(e) are diagrams showing the application startoperation of the image pickup device 301. In this diagram, it is assumedthat applications are set for all of the four application (1) selectionbutton 310S to application (4) selection button 313S. As shown in FIG.27( b), when starting the application set for the application (2)selection button 311S, the application (2) selection button 311S istouched exceeding a predetermined time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) andthen a flick operation is performed toward the center of the touch panel304. As a result, the application set for the application (2) selectionbutton 311S starts. In addition, as shown in FIG. 27( c), when startingthe application set for the application (3) selection button 312S, theapplication (3) selection button 312S is touched exceeding apredetermined time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) and then a flickoperation is performed toward the center of the touch panel 304. As aresult, the application set for the application (3) selection button312S starts.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 27( d), when starting the application setfor the application (1) selection button 310S, the application (1)selection button 310S is touched exceeding a predetermined time (forexample, 1 to 2 seconds) and then a flick operation is performed towardthe center of the touch panel 304. As a result, the application set forthe application (1) selection button 310S starts. In addition, as shownin FIG. 27( e), when starting the application set for the application(4) selection button 313S, the application (4) selection button 313S istouched exceeding a predetermined time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) andthen a flick operation is performed toward the center of the touch panel304. As a result, the application set for the application (4) selectionbutton 313S starts.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a specific example of the use of the imagepickup device 301. In this diagram, on the application operating as thefirst mode, a camera application A, a camera application B, a viewerapplication, and a processing and editing application are assumed to beset for the application (1) selection button 310S, the application (2)selection button 311S, the application (3) selection button 312S, andthe application (4) selection button 313S, respectively. Thepre-installed camera application is an application operating in thefirst mode, and the camera applications A and B, the viewer apparatus,and the processing and editing application are applications operating inthe second mode. In addition, the viewer application is a mode in whichan image captured in the first imaging mode is displayed. The processingand editing application is a mode in which an image captured in thefirst imaging mode is processed and edited.

Switching from the pre-installed application to the downloadedapplication is performed by the flick operation. For example, when aflick operation of selecting a downloaded application is detected in astate where a pre-installed application is selected and started, thedownloaded application starts. This process is shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 29. In addition, switching from the downloaded application to thepre-installed application is also possible by the flick operation(second flick operation). The direction (second direction) of the flickoperation at the time of switching from the downloaded application tothe pre-installed application is preferably an opposite direction to thedirection of the flick operation at the time of switching from thepre-installed application to the downloaded application. In this case,the directions do not necessarily need to be exactly different by 180°,and the directions may be different by 170° to 190° or 160° to 200°.

When the downloaded application is set, the CPU 306 performs switchingfrom the first mode to the second mode according to the operation of theuser. On the other hand, when the downloaded application is not set forthe application (X) selection button (X=1, 2, 3, or 4) 310S, 311S, 312S,313S selected by the user, the CPU 306 executes an application selectionmode that is a third mode. When the application selection mode isexecuted, the CPU 306 performs display to prompt the setting of anapplication first. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a displayprompting the setting of an application. In this diagram, for example,when an operation on the application (1) selection button 310S isperformed in a state where no application is set for the application (1)selection button 310S, the CPU 306 displays a text message “Please setan application” on the display unit 303 and also displays a button 317of the text message “Set installed” and a button 318 of the text message“Download to set an application” below the display. The user who seesthis display touches the button 317 if the application has beendownloaded, and touches the button 318 if the application has not beendownloaded.

When it is detected that the button 317 has been touched, the CPU 306sets the installed application in the application (1) selection button310S. On the other hand, when it is detected that the button 318 hasbeen touched, the CPU 306 makes a connection to the network 400 usingthe communication unit 305 and accesses the market site 410 having theapplication to download the application. Then, the downloadedapplication is set for the application (1) selection button 310S. Thus,when the user selects the application (X) selection button (X=1, 2, 3,or 4) 310S, 311S, 312S, or 313S for which no application is set, displayto prompt the setting of the application is performed. Therefore, it ispossible to ensure the setting of the application. That is, since theuser sees this display, the user performs the setting of the applicationwithout forgetting it. As a result, it is possible to ensure the settingof the application.

Moreover, in addition to performing the display as a function ofprompting the setting of the application, it is possible to ring abuzzer or to output a voice message. However, it is necessary to add abuzzer and a driving circuit of the buzzer in order to ring the buzzer,and it is necessary to add a speaker and a voice output circuit in orderto output a voice message. If there are other functions of prompting thesetting of the application, the functions may start.

Referring back to FIG. 25, when there is a user operation that accessesthe market site 410 on the network 400, the CPU 306 accesses the marketsite 410 on the network 400 through the communication unit 305 anddownloads an application that the market site 410 has. In this case,examples of the application downloaded from the market site 410 includethe camera application A, the camera application B, the viewerapplication, and the processing and editing application described above.The CPU 306 stores (that is, installs) the downloaded application in astorage medium, such as a flash memory. The CPU 306 uses, for example,transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) and hyper texttransfer protocol (HTTP) as protocols required for the exchange of datausing the network 400. The CPU 306 establishes a communication pathusing the TCP/IP, and transmits and receives data using the HTTP.

Next, the operation of the image pickup device 301 according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining the application selection processof the image pickup device 301 according to the present embodiment. Inthis diagram, when an operation for switching from the first mode to thesecond mode is performed, for example, when the application (1)selection button 310S is touched exceeding a predetermined time and aflick operation is performed toward the center of the touch panel 304 asshown in FIG. 30, the CPU 306 performs switching from the first mode tothe second mode (step S301). Then, it is determined whether or not anapplication is set for the application (1) selection button 310Sselected by the user (step S302). When it is determined that anapplication is set for the application (1) selection button 310S (thatis, when “Yes” is determined in step S302), the application (1) starts(step S303).

On the other hand, when it is determined that no application is set forthe application (1) selection button 310S (that is, when “No” isdetermined in step S302), the application selection mode is executed(step S304). That is, the CPU 306 displays a text message “Please set anapplication” on the display unit 303 and also displays the button 317 ofthe text message “Set installed” and the button 318 of the text message“Download to set an application” below the display. The user who seesthis display touches the button 317 if the application has beendownloaded, and touches the button 318 if the application has not beendownloaded.

When the user touches the button 317 of the text message “Setinstalled”, the CPU 306 displays a list of stored applications on thedisplay unit 303 (step S305). Then, when the user designates a desiredapplication while viewing the application list, the application storedin a storage medium, such as a flash memory, is read and set for theapplication (1) selection button 310S (step S306). After finishing theprocessing, this process ends.

On the other hand, when the user touches the button 318 of the textmessage “Download to set an application”, the CPU 306 accesses themarket site 410 using the communication unit 305 (step S307), anddownloads and installs the application (step S308). Then, the installedapplication is set for the application (1) selection button 310S (stepS309). After finishing the processing, this process ends.

Thus, the image pickup device 301 according to the present embodimentincludes the camera unit 302, the display unit 303 that displays animage captured by the camera unit 302, the touch panel 304 disposed soas to overlap the display unit 303, and the CPU 306 that controls eachunit of the apparatus, and the CPU 306 operates in at least the firstand second modes. Switching from the first mode to the second modeoccurs in response to detecting the first flick operation in the firstdirection by the user operation, and the application selected by theuser starts in the second mode. Therefore, since application switchingcan be performed with a simple operation called a flick operation, it ispossible to improve the convenience.

In addition, according to the image pickup device 301 according to thepresent embodiment, when an application that is installed but is not setso as to be bootable is selected by the user, the application is set soas to be bootable. In addition, an application that is not installed isdownloaded from the market site 410 using the communication unit 305 andis set so as to be bootable. Therefore, it is possible to improve theoperability.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the CPU 306 is made to have aprogram describing the process shown by the flowchart of FIG. 31.However, the program may be distributed in a state being stored instorage media, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, amagneto-optical disc, and a semiconductor memory, or may be stored in aserver (not shown) on the network, such as the Internet, and bedownloaded using the electrical communication line.

While the present invention has been described in detail with referenceto the specific embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application (PatentApplication No. 2011-223175) filed on Oct. 7, 2011, Japanese PatentApplication (Patent Application No. 2011-228032) filed on Oct. 17, 2011,Japanese Patent Application (Patent Application No. 2011-273522) filedon Dec. 14, 2011, and Japanese Patent Application (Patent ApplicationNo. 2012-018813) filed on Jan. 31, 2012, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has an effect that the screen of the display unitcan be checked easily and reliably even if imaging is done under brightenvironment, such as the outdoors under the clear sky, an effect that amalfunction caused by touching the end of the housing can be preventedeven if the frame of the housing becomes narrow with increase in thesize of the display unit, or an effect that application switched can beperformed with a simple operation called a flick operation. Therefore,the present invention can be applied to mobile terminals, such as amobile phone in which a camera is mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1, 1C, 20, 70: image pickup device    -   1A: first surface    -   1B: second surface    -   2: camera unit    -   3: display unit    -   4: touch panel    -   5: vertical sensor    -   6: CPU    -   7: flashlight unit    -   8: storage unit    -   9: operation determination unit    -   10: icon    -   11: synthesizing unit    -   21: communication unit    -   22: storage unit    -   31: backlight    -   40: Internet    -   50: server    -   60: display device    -   80: menu button    -   81: up/down button    -   82: LCD brightness button    -   83: left/right button    -   84: exposure change button    -   101: image pickup device    -   102: camera unit    -   102A, 102B: camera    -   103: display unit    -   104: touch panel    -   105: CPU    -   110: housing    -   110A: first surface    -   110B: second surface    -   110C: corner    -   110D: edge portion    -   115, 115A, 115B, 116: unresponsive region    -   120: icon    -   131: backlight    -   301: image pickup device    -   302: camera unit    -   303: display unit    -   304: touch panel    -   305: communication unit    -   306: CPU    -   310 to 314: unresponsive region    -   310S: application (1) selection button    -   311S: application (2) selection button    -   312S: application (3) selection button    -   313S: application (4) selection button    -   314S: menu    -   317, 318: button    -   400: network    -   410: market site

The invention claimed is:
 1. An image pickup device comprising: acamera; a display that displays an image captured by the camera; and atouch panel that overlaps the display, wherein, while the display isdisplaying the image, when a predetermined single operation is detectedon the touch panel, a brightness of the display is changed from a firstbrightness to a second brightness brighter than the first brightness,and the display displays, over the image, an indication that thebrightness has increased, and wherein the indication continues to bedisplayed over the image at least after the brightness of the display ischanged to the second brightness.
 2. The image pickup device accordingto claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is a flick operation. 3.The image pickup device according to claim 2, wherein the display has arectangular shape, and wherein the flick operation is a flick operationalong a shorter direction of the rectangular shape.
 4. The image pickupdevice according to claim 2, further comprising: a sensor which detectsa vertical direction, wherein the flick operation is a flick operationfrom down to up along the vertical direction.
 5. The image pickup deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the flick operation is defined as a firstflick operation, and wherein, when a second flick operation in adirection opposite to the direction of the first flick operation isdetected, the brightness of the display is changed from the secondbrightness to the first brightness.
 6. The image pickup device accordingto claim 1, wherein the indication that the brightness has increased isdisplayed by an icon.
 7. The image pickup device according to claim 1,wherein the indication showing that the brightness has increased isdisplayed for a predetermined time.
 8. The image pickup device accordingto claim 1, wherein the image displayed on the display is a video image.9. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the display isa liquid crystal display device with a backlight, and wherein thebrightness of the display is changed by changing the brightness of thebacklight.
 10. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein thedisplay is a display device in which each pixel emits self-luminouslight, and wherein the brightness of the display is changed by changingthe brightness of the self-luminous light.
 11. The image pickup deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a housing comprising a firstsurface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein thecamera is disposed on the first surface, and wherein the display and thetouch panel are disposed on the second surface.
 12. The image pickupdevice according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing comprising afirst surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,wherein the camera is disposed on the first surface, and wherein thedisplay and the touch panel are disposed on the first surface.
 13. Theimage pickup device according to claim 1, wherein, while the display isdisplaying the image, when the predetermined single operation isdetected on the touch panel, the brightness of the display is changedfrom the first brightness to the second brightness, without accessingdisplay of a screen image other than the image captured by the camera.14. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein thepredetermined single operation does not include a discrete brightnessadjustment operation.
 15. The image pickup device according to claim 1,wherein an indication of a brightness state is not displayed over theimage, until the single operation is detected while the display isdisplaying the image.
 16. The image pickup device according to claim 1,wherein the image captured by the camera and displayed on the display isa through image before a shutter of the camera is operated.
 17. An imagepickup method which can be used in an image pickup device comprising acamera, a display that displays an image captured by the camera, and atouch panel that overlaps the display, the image pickup methodcomprising: displaying the image captured by the camera on the display;detecting a predetermined single operation while the display isdisplaying the image; changing a brightness of the display from a firstbrightness to a second brightness brighter than the first brightness,when the predetermined operation is detected on the touch panel, whilethe display is displaying the image; and displaying, over the image onthe display, an indication that the brightness has increased, whereinthe indication continues to be displayed over the image at least afterchanging to the second brightness.
 18. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing an image pickup program usable with animage pickup device, which comprises a camera, a display that displaysan image captured by the camera, and a touch panel that overlaps thedisplay, the image pickup program comprising instructions which, whenexecuted by a computer, causes the image pickup device to execute:displaying the image captured by the camera on the display; detecting apredetermined single operation while the display is displaying theimage; changing a brightness of the display from a first brightness to asecond brightness brighter than the first brightness, when thepredetermined single operation is detected on the touch panel, while thedisplay is displaying the image; and displaying, over the image on thedisplay, an indication that the brightness has increased, wherein theindication continues to be displayed over the image at least afterchanging to the second brightness.
 19. A server comprising thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 18 storingthe image pickup program so as to be downloadable.
 20. A display devicecomprising: a display that displays a video image; and a touch panelthat overlaps the display, wherein, while the display is displaying thevideo image, when a predetermined single operation is detected on thetouch panel, a brightness of the display is changed from a firstbrightness to a second brightness brighter than the first brightness,and the display displays, over the video image, an indication that thebrightness has increased, and wherein the indication continues to bedisplayed at least after the brightness of the display is changed to thesecond brightness.
 21. An image pickup device comprising: a camera; adisplay that displays an image captured by the camera; and a touch panelthat overlaps the display, wherein, while the display is displaying theimage, when a predetermined single operation is detected on the touchpanel, a gamma characteristic of the display is changed from a firstgamma characteristic to a second gamma characteristic, and the displaydisplays, over the image, an indication that the gamma characteristic ofthe display has been changed, and wherein the indication continues to bedisplayed over the image at least after the gamma characteristic of thedisplay is changed to the second gamma characteristic.